David Ignatius

Washington, D.C.

Columnist covering foreign affairs

Education: Harvard College; Kings College, Cambridge

David Ignatius writes a twice-a-week foreign affairs column for The Washington Post. Ignatius has written 11 spy novels: “The Paladin” (2020), “The Quantum Spy,” (2017), “The Director,” (2014), “Bloodmoney” (2011), “The Increment” (2009), “Body of Lies” (2007), “The Sun King” (1999), “A Firing Offense” (1997), “The Bank of Fear” (1994), “SIRO” (1991), and “Agents of Innocence” (1987). “Body of Lies” was made into a 
Latest from David Ignatius

Chat with David Ignatius about the war in Ukraine and foreign affairs

David's Q&A with readers starts at 12 p.m. ET on Monday. Submit your questions now.

April 3, 2023

Netanyahu’s unforced error could come with heavy costs

The Israeli political crisis should ease now. But what damage has it done to the country's security interests?

March 27, 2023

Biden moves to undo Trump’s political play on the Space Command

The 11th-hour decision to locate headquarters in Alabama could have weakened the U.S. at a critical time

March 23, 2023

Here’s the real lesson from the showy Xi-Putin meeting

The Chinese leader is trying to strengthen his sway over Eurasia. If he succeeds, we will live in a darker world.

March 21, 2023

When will the West confront India? David Ignatius answered your questions.

David's Q&A with readers was at 12 p.m. ET on Monday. Read the transcript.

March 20, 2023

How China is heralding the beginnings of a multipolar Middle East

Iran-Saudi rapprochement shakes up a status quo that was never very stable in the first place.

March 16, 2023

How the submarine deal fits into the complex U.S. strategy for the Pacific

The new agreement is part of a web of arrangements being fashioned around a more assertive China.

March 13, 2023

The moment when Putin turned away from the West

Vladimir Putin and the Bush administration were working well together on counterterrorism after 9/11. Then came Beslan — and a break.

March 9, 2023

Why isn’t the E.U. providing Ukraine the right aid? David Ignatius answered your questions.

David's Q&A with readers was at 12 p.m. ET on Monday. Read the transcript.

March 6, 2023

Biden’s best tool for halting a slide in U.S.-China relations? His phone.

To ease tensions, the president should lean into his strengths as a leader — and call Xi Jinping.

March 1, 2023